USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Wethersfield > History of Saint Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn., and of its predecessor Christ Church, Wethersfield and Berlin : from the first Church of England service in America to nineteen hundred and seven > Part 24
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Berlin > History of Saint Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn., and of its predecessor Christ Church, Wethersfield and Berlin : from the first Church of England service in America to nineteen hundred and seven > Part 24
USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > New Britain > History of Saint Mark's Church, New Britain, Conn., and of its predecessor Christ Church, Wethersfield and Berlin : from the first Church of England service in America to nineteen hundred and seven > Part 24
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Mason.
E. Russell.
P. Judd.
L. P. Lee.
O. H. Seymour. Hez. Seymour.
Chas. Stanley.
Geo. Francis.
Mrs. Dot". Stanley.
Cyrus Booth.
J. Fairbrother.
Arthur Pennington.
Selden Deming.
Frederic Stanley.
David Steel.
Alfred Stanley.
Whaples
Chester Birge.
Southard.
R. Dickinson.
Pratts.
Churchill. (Solomon;
Mrs. Hart.
Geo. Landers.
Winchester.
John Hazen.
For more "about the Chapel we quote the following from the "Chronicle of the Church," New Haven, Conn. issue of Dec. 29, 1837.
"New Britain, Dec. 18, 1837.
Mr. Editor, Dear Sir,-The Chronicle being the proper organ of communication for this diocese, I take the first opportunity to forward you a brief account of our Church, which was con- secrated on the 7th. instant, by the name of St. Mark's Church. There were present, besides the Bishop, the Rev. Mr. Hull of Wallingford, the Rev. Mr. Covil of Bristol, and the Rev. Mr. Burgess of Hartford. We were also favored with the presence and assistance of the choir of Christ Church, Hartford, which
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THE CHURCH
gave peculiar interest to the services of the day. The comple- tion of our Church and the services of that day, were a source of great gratification to the friends of the Church, but espec- ially so to the few Episcopalians in this village and its vicinity, who have for years, with a faith which rested upon the promises of God, that he would not forget his people, nor leave them comfortless, looked forward to this star of Jacob, now risen up for a light, to enlighten them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death. How or when this was to be brought about, was more than their fondest hope or wish could conjecture ; and their hope had been so long deferred that their hearts had often become sick; but still blessed be God, they did not sink in despair. For often were they invited by their friends of other denominations, to join with them, and become members of their body. But this in good conscience they could not do. They felt it a duty, situated as they were, and did, therefore, attend their worship; but having been brought up in the nur- ture and admonition of the Lord, as the Church has set it forth in her beauty of holiness, they could not forget this way of Zion, nor sing her songs, as it were, in a strange land. Whilst they endeavored, therefore, to wait patiently for the salvation of the Lord, and with thankful hearts pay due respect to all that surrounded them, by improving the blessings which their religious services presented for enjoyment ; they would still think upon Zion. Their minds would be constantly going round about her, and marking her bulwarks, her strong towers, her places, with all her pleasant things. And thus be led to say in their hearts of the Church, as the true Israelites of old remarked concerning Jerusalem. 'How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land. If I forget the Church, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember her, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I do not prefer her to my chief joy.' And such, doubtless, will ever be the case, with all who have been rooted and grounded in the dis- tinctive principles of the Church. They will never leave nor forsake her. It is true, indeed, that some who claim to have been brought up in the Church have forsaken her, and would fain forget her. But it is more likely, that they, as the apostle remarked, (I John II, 17,) 'went out from us but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
299
IN NEW BRITAIN.
continued with us; but they went out that it might be made manifest that they were not all of us.' For I feel perfectly well assured, that those who are of us, or Churchmen from principle, will never lose that principle. Although when deprived of the worship of the Church they will make the best improvement of all the other religious privileges within their reach; yet they will not, they cannot forget their first and true love. For with regard to the Church they will feel bound to say, as did the intrepid apostle St. Peter, to his blessed Lord and Master. At the time that many of the disciples went back and walked no more with him. (John vi. 66.) The Lord Jesus said unto the twelve, will ye also go away? Simon Peter answered him, Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.
"The few Episcopalians who compose St. Mark's parish, New Britain, are such as have either been brought up in the Church, or else by searching for the principles of holiness have found it to possess, in the most scriptural sense, the founda- tion of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. Hence they compose a house that is at unity with itself; live like brethren in the unity of the spirit and the bonds of peace. As face answereth to face in water, so their hearts stand linked in one common interest for the growth and prosperity of the Church, the present condition of which, is to them, a source of inexpressable satisfaction ; as one of said to me on the day of the consecration. 'This is a glorious day to us.' To this my own heart responded. For I know that they could all say with David, 'I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.' And this good spirit was so appropriately and cordially evinced, that it dif- fused itself through the community generally; so that while there was nothing to offend or mar the happiness of any, what- ever were their peculiar religious views, there was much to be admired and approved of by all. Hence, instead of producing discord and disunion in the great Catholic Church, that is com- posed of all true believers, it had the happy tendency to remove prejudices which were founded and supported by ignorance and falsehood, and so tends strongly to bring us all nearer to that standard of sacred union, which is the only true test of Chris- tianity, 'To love one another.' Wherefore we trust that our
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efforts have not only been very signally crowned with that kind of blessing which makes glad the city of our God.
"It gives me pleasure to avail myself of this opportunity to express what I have always felt, and trust shall never cease to feel, a grateful acknowledgement for the many kindnesses which I have received, and the aid so opportunely afforded me by my urgent solicitations, for causing this charitable work of ours. By management and considerable exertion, I succeeded in supplying my parish with services on every Lord's day with one exception, and visited all the principle parishes in the diocese, to solicit aid of individuals for this object. And what was given me for its accomplishment, and the manner in which it was given I cannot soon forget; for my feelings were too much enlisted not to mark the spirit as well as the amount of all the contributions. The hardness of the times was such, as to afford an easy apology to all who were desirous of evading applications of this kind. Hence they who wished to do so, could very gracefully say 'go in peace,' or 'we wish you success,' without any consciousness or apparent conviction that they were leaving undone, a thing which they not only conceded was right, but also what was actually in their power to do. But notwithstanding this kind of reception sometimes met with, I was more and more encouraged to continue my efforts, because I also met with many good and generous hearts which appeared much better by contact, that were open to my application. And hence my success was so unexpectedly great, that we may still say 'it was the Lord's doings, and it is marvelous in our eyes.'
"The amount of money subscribed from abroad, some of which was in materials for our building, or goods to pay our workmen, is six hundred and fifty-four dollars and seventy- five cents.
Hartford,
$145.00 I36.00
Norwich,
24.00
New Haven,
Windham,
3.00
Waterbury and
Newtown,
5-75
Stamford,
7.00
Chatham,
36.00
Norwalk,
34.00
Wallingford,
9.00
Saybrook,
45.00
Plymouth,
45.00
Private Friends,
7.00
New London,
28.00
Naugatuc,
131.00
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IN NEW BRITAIN.
"And in our own village, besides the timber for the frame of the Church given by one gentleman, and the ground on which it is errected by another, there has been raised three hundred and sixty-two dollars and twenty cents.
"This with what some of our friends where subscriptions have not been circulated, have promised to forward us for the object, and what may still be raised among ourselves, I trust will enable us to meet all our accounts. I am pleased also to acknowledge the receipt of a beautiful Bible and two Prayer- books for the Church, from Professor Good of Washington College. And also from the agent of the Episcopal Press, one dozen Common Prayer-books with some tracts for free dis- tribution, and with them from Mr. F. H. Huntington, N. Y., a few books for a parish library.
"With these acknowledgements I tender my sincere thanks, and hope that by the blessing of God, we shall go on with such prosperity, as not only to be able but also willing, and even desirious to do unto others as those have contributed unto our necessities have done unto us. And that as they have cast their bread upon the waters, I humbly trust, they shall receive it after many days
THOS. J. DAVIS."
As humble and inexpensive as this little church was, it is believed that it could not then have been built but for outside aid, and it is surprising to learn that nearly two thirds of the cost of building was donated from other towns. Mr. Davis does not state the donor of "the timber for the frame of the Church" but the Hon. Ira E. Smith had plenty of timber land, more than any other member of the Parish, and he was one of the most liberal members. The donor of the land we learn from Miss Russell's letters and also from the Berlin land records, Vol. 17, P. 459. The deed is dated Nov. 28, 1837. Mr. Thomas Lee was the father of L. P. Lee, one of the organizers of the Church. The consideration was his "love and good will towards the Episcopal Church in New Britain generally." It was deeded to Emanuel Russell and Lorenzo P. Lee Trustees of St. Mark's Church in New Britain. The land was forty feet wide and seventy feet deep and in addition to its boundary was described as "the land on which the new Episcopal Church has lately
19
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302
THE CHURCH
been erected." It was witnessed by Augustus Ward and Philip S. Judd and received for record June 8, 1838.
The parish meeting of April 23, 1838, unanimously "Resolved that the Wardens, Vestry, and Members of St. Mark's Church in New Britain, deeply sensible of the generous and friendly motives of Thomas Lee Esq. in presenting gratutiously to the Parish the lot on which our Church is built, with great pleasure improve the earliest opportunity to convey to him our sincere acknowledgements for the very liberal donation, and beg of him to accept the assurance of our gratitude and personal respect.
Resolved that E. Russell be the bearer of a copy of the above resolution to Thos. Lee Esq. In behalf of the society.
Delivered as directed April 24, 1838."
At the same meeting it was by a unanimous vote "Resolved, that whereas many of the citizens of this Village have liberally contributed to the Erection of an Episcopal Church in New Britain, as well as to the support of an Episcopal Clergyman the past year, who are members of various religious denominations ; the Congregation of St. Mark's Church, gratefull for the public manifestations of principles so congenial to the spirit of the Christian religion and so well calculated to unite all Evangelical denominations in the great and good work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gloomy regions of Idolitry & Error, discharge a heartfelt duty in giving this public testi- mony of their thankfullness, and ardently hope that it is the happy harbinger of that blessed period when the wolf shall dwell with the Lamb & the Leopard shall lie down with the Kid, & the Calf & the young Lion & the fatling together & a little child shall lead them.
Resolved that a copy of the above resolution be presented to each of the religious societies in New Britain and that they be presented by E. Russell.
Resolved, that a communication be made to the Revd. Mr. Davis stating the situation of our society, and the reasons that compelled the society to discharge him from his pastoral duties among us, & return our many obligations to him for the Zeal, Industry & ability he has exercised In the discharge of the Various & arduous duties attendent on the efforts necessary to build a Church & unite a scattered congregation In the bonds
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IN NEW BRITAIN.
of union, as Christians & friendly social Intercourse as citizens ; Resolved, that Docr. Rockwell, Geo. Winchester & E. Russell, be a Committee to draft and present to the Revd. T. J. Davis a communication, agreeable to the preceeding resolution & that said Committee meet at the House of Eml. Russell on Thurs- day evening next at 7 ock. P. M. 25 inst. April to report.
Resolved that Doer Rockwell be a committee to call on the Revª. T. J. Davis this Evening & Inform him that a communica- tion will be presented to him from the society expressive of their views, feelings & the situation of the society next Sunday Evening.
Adjourned without day. E. Russell Secy."
In conformity with this vote the Rev. Mr. Davis closed his rectorship of the society about June 1, 1838. The only known reason for his leaving was the financial crisis of that year, and the limited number of those on whom the support of the Church rested. This is not clearly brought out in the record but is disclosed in another letter of Mr. Emanuel Russell to his daughter Harriot, dated April 7, 1838, saying "I regret to say that we shall be unable to keep Mr. Davis the ensuing year, we cannot raise his salary under the present depression of busi- ness and shall have to hire some young single man to supply his place at a much less salary." It must indeed have been a seri- ous depression of business when they felt compelled to seek a man at a salary much less than $250. per annum and board, with the missionary society paying $150. of that amount. Of course the board for a family of four persons was somewhat of an item. Mr. Davis' services here were unusually valuable. Without his aid in obtaining money from other towns, even the little chapel could not have been built. A new church with the first organ in New Britain, a Sunday School, and a Sewing Society, raising money for a Sunday School library, is a good showing for a rectorship of a year and one month. He was the right man in the right place, and it was certainly a misfor- tune that this little parish of about fifteen families could not have retained him. He was a minister of the Church for fifty- five years. His short term of thirteen months service in New
304
THE CHURCH
Britain is in marked contrast with his forty-four years of ser- vice in the city of Philadelphia, thirty-six years of which he was continuously in one Parish.
There are always difficulties in establishing the Church in a community which has for a long time been composed largely of only one religious denomination. Of necessity the Church will when established draw more or less from other congrega- tions and this is always unpleasant for those who suffer this loss. Mr. Russell's letter last quoted from further says-"New Britain has lost all its charms, except for a few righteous men we might have the bituminous lake of asphaltites spread over its plains. Every stranger that comes into our village is cau- tioned against attending our poor despised church, for the reason that its members are not respectable nor our principles orthodox and we do not hold to a change of Heart.
Alas poor human nature, is it true that no one can worship God acceptably but Presbyterians alias Congregationalists? Is there no truth, no beauty, no solemnity, no scripture in our solemn service; have we not beautiful prayers and do we not pray with a faith and holy zeal for our enemies and for all mankind? And we pray most sincerely that our enemies may have better minds and exercise more charity, or at least use less intrigue and persecution. Mrs. Davis has returned and is almost sick with grief and exertion but (was) some better Sunday evening. Your good mother is not very well, time and infirmities fritter away our old and failing frames and the place that knows us now will soon know us no more. It is however of little import if we succeed in gaining the mark of the prize of our high calling and can be joyfully transferred from a temporal to a celestial Kingdom. Eternal in the heavens where reigns eternal peace and joy." The name of Emanuel Russell will never fade from the History of St. Mark's Church, The excerpts from the letters of William Russell were furnished us by Mr. H. E. Russell of New London, Conn. and the other Russell letters were loaned us by Mr. William H. Russell of Englewood, N. J.
The first resident Rector, Mr. Davis, left here about June I, 1838, with his grief-stricken wife and was soon settled at Akron, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Ordway of Puyallup,
THE DAVIS FAMILY.
.
3º5
IN NEW BRITAIN.
Washington, (formerly of New Britain,) have presented St. Mark's Church with the Life of Thomas Jefferson, by T. J. Davis, also a photograph of Mr. Davis in his old age and an old daguerreotype of Mr. Davis and family, taken not long after they were here. We are thus enabled to present a picture of the Davis family, consisting as it did when Mr. Davis was here, of Mr. and Mrs. Davis and two sons, Thomas the elder son, and James Montgomery the younger son. The same Parish meeting that voted to dissolve the relations of pastor and people prepared themselves for being without any minister by the election of George Winchester as Lay Reader. In the Journal of Convention for 1838, the Rev. Zebadiah Hyde Mans- field, a newly ordered Deacon, is in the Clergy list as "officiat- ing at St. Mark's Church, New Britain." Mrs. Francis gives June 22 as the beginning of his ministry here, but we place it as on or before June 12, the date of the Convention. The Bishop's address to the Convention refers to the confirmation of eight persons, and the consecration of St. Mark's Church at New Britain on Dec. 6, 1837. The certificate of consecration says Dec. 7. The address also says that "The Rev. Thomas J. Davis has resigned the charge of the Parish of New Britain."
The parochial report for New Britain, 1838, is as follows- "No Rector, Families 15, Communicants 12, Baptisms 14, (II children, 3 adults,) burials 3, marriages I, confirmations 8." New Britain was still in the list of parishes who had not paid their assessment to the convention fund. The report of the missionary society showed that the society had received $6.00 from St. Mark's Church, New Britain by the Hon. Ira E. Smith, paid Rev. Thomas J. Davis of New Britain $75, and that $75 was due the said parish.
We have no record of any parish meeting after that of April 23, 1838, until March 15, 1841. Our only original record of Mr. Mansfield's service, aside from the Journal of the Conven- tion, is Mrs. Francis' manuscript and the treasurer's account. The latter is apparently incomplete and many items have no date. Mrs. Francis does not give any date for the end of Mr. Mansfield's service, but we presume he officiated until relieved by his successor, Mr. Guion, and hence we fix his last Sunday as Nov. 25, 1838. Mrs. Francis, and others following her,
306
THE CHURCH
place the beginning of the Rev. John Marshall Guion's ser- vice as Dec. 2, 1840, but this is an evident error as to the year, although the month and day are correct, as appears by Mr. Emanuel Russell's memorandum book as follows :-
"Dec. 2d, 1838. Agreed with Revd. Mr. Guion to supply our pulpit during the winter at $5. pr. Sunday with some encouragement of doing better if the Society could do it.
E. Russell.
Revd. Mr. Guion began Decr. 2d. 1838 the first time."
The Bishop's address to the Convention in June, 1839, announces that the Rev. Thomas J. Davis has taken letters dimissory to the Diocese of Ohio, the "Rev. John M. Guion has removed from Meriden to the parish of New Britain, to which he has been elected Rector." "The Rev. Zebadiah H. Mansfield has removed from New Britain to the Parish of Warehouse Point." Mr. Guion appears to have been hired temporarily "during the winter" but engaged as Rector some time previous to the sitting of the Convention, and it is hoped that the "encouragement of doing better" on the part of the society was realized, although no great increase of the Rector's salary was probable.
New Britain was still in the list of parishes that had not paid their assessment to the convention fund. The missionary society paid Emanuel Russell, of St. Mark's Church, Treasurer, $75.00 due last Easter, and Mr. Russell forwarded the same to the Rev. Thomas J. Davis, "for missionary services in that Parish." St. Mark's Church also paid the missionary society, by Mr. Russell, $4.00.
The report of the parish for 1839 is as follows :-
"St. Mark's New Britain, Rev. John Marshall Guion, Rector.
I continued in the parochial charge of St. Andrew's Church, Meriden, until the close of October last at which time I resigned the Rectorship.
Since the first Sunday in Advent under a temporary arrange- ment, I have regularly officiated in St. Mark's Church, New Britain, where I have likewise attended two funerals. This Parish of recent origin is as yet feeble in respect to numbers and resources. Their limited abilities are therefore very inadequate
3º7
J
IN NEW BRITAIN.
to the support of a Clergyman; other considerations however have prevailed with me, with the approbation of the Bishop, to accept the rectorship to which I have been canonically elected. The zeal and perseverance of a little band of the friends of the Church have commended them to the patronage of the almoners of the Church's bounty; the prospect of ultimate success promises well to repay their 'nursing care.' The precise number of families and communicants strictly united to the Church has not as yet been ascertained; it is however, in each case very small; yet do they form a rallying point for a numerous class, which is found in the population of a manufacturing town, not decidedly attached to any religious denomination, who are glad to avail themselves of the opportunity of attending the ser- vices of the Church, while many young persons, accustomed to her worship, perhaps educated in her principles, though called to leave the paternal roof, find themselves not excluded from the privileges to which their youthful associations incline them. Hence the band of Episcopalians here strictly form a missionary family, the church is a missionary Church; the ground is a missionary ground. The general attendance on the Lord's day has been respectable, frequently numerous, so much so as to encourage the hope, that the permanent establishment of the Church in New Britain, will be the means of much spiritual good. In conclusion, though the writer, aware as he is of the mutations of these changeful times, would not indulge in expectations too sanguine, yet would he not withhold the expression of his persuasion, that with due fostering care, under the divine blessing, St. Mark's Parish will, at no distant day, take its rank among the more flourishing in the Diocese."
Our only record within the parish for 1840 is Mr. E. Rus- sell's account as treasurer and this does not have a dozen entries during the year. We quote two items therefrom :- "1840 Jan. 5, 10, Collected at Church 1.38. Feb. 2ª Collected at Church 1.00." We presume a new treasurer was elected in the spring of 1840, to succeed Mr. Russell, as Feb. 2 of that year is the latest date we find in his account. No treasurer's account for several years after that date has been found.
There was no minister or delegate from New Britain present at the Convention in 1840, and no parish report. New Britain
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THE CHURCH
was still in the list of parishes that had not paid the assessment for the convention fund. The missionary society paid the parish $50 and the Rev. John M. Guion $25, for the parish.
If the Church slumbered throughout the year 1840 there were some signs of life, among the ladies, early in 1841, as appears from the following advertisement in the "Practical Christian and Church Chronicle," of New Haven, issue of Jan. 29 :
"The Ladies of St. Mark's Parish, New Britain propose holding a Fair in the large upper room of North & Stanley's Brick Factory in said village, on Wednesday and Thursday the 3rd. and 4th. of February, the avails of which are to be appro- priated to the discharge of the debt under which the Church labours. The aid of the benevolent, disposed to encourage a little band of Churchmen in their exertions, and especially of our brethren of the neighboring Parishes, is respectfully solicited."
An editorial notice in the same paper called attention to the above advertisement and said: "We learn from a friend that at no time have the prospects of this Parish been more encourag- ing than at present. A high degree of interest appears to be excited in the success of the Church accompanied with an unwonted attention to religious duties. Their numbers are limited, and there is a debt resting upon the Church, which though small is large and heavy in comparison with their means and weighs as a discouragement upon some otherwise friendly to the Church. The object is to remove the debt and we hope they will receive encouragement in their benevolent under- taking."
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